Tag: replacement

A siding does much more than improving your home’s value. For instance, it keeps away pests, lowers your energy bill, and protects the frame of your house against destructive weather elements.

But your Utah home’s siding can wear out, break, and crack. If it is continuously ignored, it will start leaking, and at this point, it is impossible to prevent extensive and costly repairs. In some cases, it may require the replacement of the entire siding. But there are particular signs that a homeowner should notice to establish whether their siding has an issue.

Seams and caulk

For siding to be effective and long-lasting, it should be caulked at all joints and vertical seams. Prolonged wear and tear can make the caulk crack, shrink and eventually wear off. In that case, if the boards look uneven and the seams have shifted, then the siding system will not function well. As such, if correctly caulked, your siding should be seamless.

Aging and deterioration

Various types of siding age differently depending on the type of materials that they are made from, and how they are maintained. For instance, wood will warp and rot while vinyl weathers from sun exposure. The general signs in almost all types of siding include the appearance of uneven spots, waviness, and warping.

Visible or missing nails

Are the nail heads on the siding rusty, exposed or missing? If the nails are exposed on the surface, it means that your siding has been expanding and contracting, or it has moved from its original place. Rusty nails, on the other hand, are an indication of moisture or water could be streaking down the siding. Lastly, if there are no nails left, your siding can be blown away by the next big storm or strong wind.

Once in a while, it is advisable to inspect your siding for the above issues. A digital camera or binoculars can come in handy to identify the problems. At this point, you can determine whether your siding requires repair or complete replacement.

You’ve probably noticed rust on the internal parts or perhaps on the outside cabinet of your furnace. But a furnace doesn’t use water to give off heat like hydronics systems, such as boilers, do — so how does it develop rust? Is it a sign that your heating system is faulty?

It might be.

Understanding the Development of Rust in Your Furnace

Rust is a type of corrosion; it is the result of a chemical reaction between water and metal in the presence of oxygen. The great danger rust poses is that it eats away the metal, causing it to crumble and flake away. When this occurs to the furnace, especially along the heat exchangers, the heat exchanger may crack, which can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.

But how does rust start in a furnace? For a gas furnace, rust will develop because of a reaction between the metal and combustion gases. The gases transform into a vapor after the heat transfer. This vapor goes out through the metal, which then leads to corrosion over time.

Don’t Let Rust Destroy Your Heating System

A small amount of rust on your old furnace shouldn’t worry you, but rust on a newer furnace should. To avoid this, replace or clean your furnace filter three or four times every year. Have it checked every year as well with experts in preventive maintenance. The older your furnace is, the more important calling the experts is. While modern gas furnaces have features that shut the system off when the problem is detected, older systems don’t.

Not only does regular maintenance prevent rust and carbon monoxide leaks, but also helps your heating system become more energy efficient.

Understanding what rust in your furnace might mean, including the dangers it poses, is the first step to addressing the problem. The second step is to call a qualified expert to help you deal with it.

Your air conditioner has been with you for a long time and you’re starting to feel that it’s no longer able to cool the room. You feel like you have to either replace it because something inside is broken or buy a new unit. As a homeowner, you should learn to care for your unit, whether it’s brand new or newly repaired.

Size Isn’t Everything

According Eastside Refrigeration Ltd, AC companies can install single room units or whole house systems. Choose what kind of system works for your property.

Having a bigger air conditioner won’t translate to your room being cooler. Many people think larger ACs have more power, but that’s not the case. Depending on the size of your room, the placement of the furniture and the unit itself, and even how you use it, a small AC may do more good and cost less than a bigger, bulkier system.

Check how much the unit contributes to your bill. Choosing bigger air conditioners may lead to bigger bills, so check online reviews for energy efficient options.

Help Your AC

An air conditioner can only do so much if you don’t clean it. Huffington Post even says not cleaning your unit can make you sick. Help your unit by adjusting the thermostat. Keeping it low does not lead to paying less because you’ll have to keep the unit on for longer.

Keep the windows shaded so no extra heat goes into your room. Small things can make a difference.

Clean Your AC

You may not know that your AC’s filter is dirty. It will accumulate more dirt if your room is dusty or messy. Clean the filters regularly or ask your repair company if the part needs replacement.

Now that you know some of the ways to maintain your air conditioner, you’ll have fewer reasons to worry. Maintenance is a must when it comes to electronics and appliances. Be responsible enough to keep your AC clean.

Choosing the Roofing Material

Be wise when picking the roofing material to use. You may simply replace your existing roof with the same material or go for a new look. The most common roofing materials for a home are listed below:

Asphalt shingles

This type is the most popular choice for residential and commercial structures because they are easy to install, affordable and resilient. Usually, asphalt shingles come with a warranty good for 20-30 years.

Wood Shakes

This is a stylish type of roofing that comes in a variety of wood materials, colours and designs. However, as wood shakes normally have a fire rating of Class C, you may want to get fire-resistant treatment or Class A wood shakes.

Metal Roofing

Gone are the days when metal roofing is only for industrial structures. It can now be used in residential homes. Metal roofing is sturdy and fire-resistant. You may need roofing experts to do the installation, though.

Slate Shingles

Slate shingles are made of stone. They come in a range of colours, normally in darker shades. They are also long-lasting and recyclable, but expensive, heavy and difficult to install.

Clay or Concrete Tiles

Clay or concrete tiles add elegance. They are extremely durable and increase resell value of a home. However, using this type requires additional roof support because it is very heavy.

Expert Installation

Roof replacement or installation is a complicated process and takes several days or even weeks to finish. To leave no room for mistakes, most homeowners get help from roofing companies. Perth company Permacoat says roof repair costs do not need to be expensive, but choose reputable roofing experts to be sure of the quality of work.

Mind those buckling shingles or loose gutters. They may be telling you to get a new roof. Make careful decisions when choosing your roofing material and the roofers to do the job.